Internal-combustion motor.



A. P. STECKEL.

QNTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 21. I9I3.

' 1,220,285. Pat11tedMar.27,1917.

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WITNESSES: INVENTOR.

FIG- 1. E ATTORN Y.

A. P. STECKEL.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2!, 1913.

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' ABnAM- r. STECKEL, or BUFFALO, new YORK.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION MOTOR.

Application filed June 21, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAM P. STEGKEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Motors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to internal combustion motors of the liquid piston type, particularly to such motors when used for operating pumps or air compressors or as integral parts of pumping or air compressing mechanism. The general characteristics of this type of motor or pump are that the functions of the piston, fly-wheel and intermediate power translating mechanism found in ordinary internal combustion motors, are all performed by a column of liquid on which the force of an eXpa-nsible charge acts, and which has a pendulum action surging back and forth in a tube and receiving the impulse of the expansion whenmoving in one direction and compressing the charge preparatory to the HGXtGXPlOSlOIl when moving in the other direction. This column of liquid which moves directly into and out of the expansion chamber, draws in fresh charges by the reduction of pressure in the expansion chamber due to its outward strokes. My invention is particularly applicable to motors or pumps of the two-stroke cycle type in which the charge is drawn in during the latter part of the working stroke;

One object of my invention is to provide improved means for taking in a charge irrespective of whether or not the expansion on the working stroke is carried to or below atmospheric pressure. Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for positively measuring and retaining Within the working chamber a definite charge, irrespective of the length of the previous working stroke and of the final pressure reached thereon. Another object of my invention is positively to separate the burnt from the unburnt gases during the time that both are in the cylinder. Another object of my invention is to keep the liquid of the piston from becoming mingled with the charge and to prevent splashing of the liquid of the piston. Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for correctly timing the ignition of the charge. Another object of my invention is to provide im- Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 775,017.

actuating the charging of one form of the improved motor as applied'to a low lift pump.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the power end of a motor embodying a modified form of'the invention. 7

In Fig. 1 the numeral 4 designates the working cylinder or expansion chamber proper. 5 is the head of the working cylinder or chamber. The numeral 6 designates a charging piston or movable wall or parti tion which, in the specific form of the invention here illustrated, forms, in the position shown, a false head or end wall to the cylinder. This charging piston need not fit the working chamber tightly, particularly if expansion in the chamber is carried below Patented. Mar. '27 1917.

atmospheric pressure, asthere will then be no tendency for the burnt gases to pass the piston and mix with the charge. In any case a small amoimt of leakage will have no serious efi'ect. lhe 'numeral 7 designates a plunger integral with or attached to the piston 6 and passing out through the head 5. S is a stop or collar on the plunger 7 that serves to limit the motion of the latter and the stroke of the charging piston. If desired this stop or collar 8 may be adjustably secured on the plunger, as by means of setscrew 8, so as to permit the stroke of the charging piston to be'varied. 9 is an inlet or check valve in the head 5, preferably of the automatic cylinder falls below thepressure on top or" the valve, and closing when the pressure in the cylinder rises, while 10 is an exhaust valve located in the side wall of the cylinder at some distance from the head and so constructed that it will automatically open so soon as the pressure within the cylinder falls below a predetermined value. As shown, the stem of the. valve 10 is engaged by a compression spring 23 of such strength or the tension of whichmay be so adjusted that when the pressure within the working chamber has fallen to the desired point it will force the exhaust valve away from its seat and thus positively open the valve at the desired time. The numeral 11 or cylinder proper.

designates a slot or recess in the wall of the cylinder, the function of which is to permit a charge of explosive mixture to pass around the charging piston or movable partition while the latter ismoving upward, as will I passing through an insulating piece 16. The

rod has a terminal 24 on its lower end which is adapted to be engaged by the upper end of the plunger 7 to close the circuit. In order to insure the making of good contact, the rod 15 is preferably slidable through the insulating piece 16, its downward movement being'limited by a collar and it being normally urged down by a spring 26 which yields and permits the contact 24 to move with the upper end of the plunger 7 when engaged thereby. 17 is a pipe through which combustible mixture is supplied at a suitable pressure which may or may not exceed atmospheric pressure. 18 is the horizontal portion of the water containing system or play pipe, and 19 are water inlet valves which serve to admit water from the supply chambers 20. 21 is the discharge pipe and 22 is the high level tank to which the liquid to be pumped is to be lifted.

Referring now to Fig. 2, this figure shows, in diagram, a cross section of the power end of a motor pump embodying a modified form of the invention. The numeral indicates the working or expansion chamber 31 is the head of this cylinder. 32 is an automatic or non-return valve adapted to permit the entrance of expansible mixture to the working chamber. 33 is a pipe through which an expansible charge is supplied. 34 is an exhaust valve similar in construction and operation to the exhaust valve 10 shown in Fig. 1. 35 is the liquid piston, which, in the present instance, is shown as supporting a float 36. This float maybe of any suitable construction. In the form illustrated, it comprises a top portion 37 of larger diameter and which is only slightly smaller than the bore of the cylinder, and a bottom portion 38 of a diameter smaller than that of the top porion. The float is provided with projections or guides 39 which serve to keep it central in the cylinder. The clearance around the upper portion 37 is only suflicient to insure that any water falling upon the top of the float from the exhaust valve cavity or elsewhere shall run off. A larger space is provided around the lower portion 38 so as to give the liquid of the piston free splashing of the liquid of the piston, the

use of the form of float shown or of any i other float is not essential to the operation of the invention.

41 is the charging piston or movable partition for actuating which suitable mechanism is provided including a pressure device responsive to the changes of pressure in the working cylinder or liquid column. As shown, the charging piston has connected to it a piston rod 42 which passes up through an opening in the head 31 of the cyhnder. Operatively connected with this piston rod is the'piston rod 43 of a piston or plunger 44 which works in a small cylinder 45. As shown, the cylinder 45 connects with the main working cylinder at a point below the lowest level reached by the top of the column of liquid forming the workmg piston, so that the piston 44 is always subjected to the liquid pressure ofthe working piston. Any suitable connection be tween the piston rods 42 and 43 may be employed. For instance, the piston rod 42 may be connected to a segment 46 on one end of a lever 47 by means of a flexible connector 48, while the other arm of the lever 47 carries a segment 49 which is connected to the piston rod 43 by a flexible connector 50. The lower face of the piston 44 is exposed to atmospheric pressure either directly or through a chamber 51 which may contain a small quantity of liquid 52 to form a cushion. The charging piston 41 may be permitted to fall of its own weight, but means are preferably provided for ac- V celerating its movement, such, for instance,

as a spring 53, the lower end of which is received in a cup-shaped collar 54 attached to the piston rod 42. The upper end of the spring 53 abuts against a cross piece 55 car ried by columns 56 projecting from the cyl inder head 31 or is otherwise suitably supported. In the modification of the invention here illustrated, the downward movement of the charging piston is limited by shoulder 57 formed on the inside of the working cylinder. In place of a slot or by-pass in the cylinder wallfor conduct ing the charge from the upper to the lower side of the charging piston as the latter moves up, the charging piston has ports 58 formed through it which are preferably controlled by automatic valves 59. The lattcr close when the charging piston is moving down and open when the charging piston is moving up, to permit the chargeto pass through the ports. In some cases, valves as such may be dispensed with and the resistance of the ports to the rapid passage of gas may be relied upon to secure the desired operation.

The operation of my improved motor is as follows Assuming that a combustible charge has been compressed in the combustion chamber by the upward movement of the liquid working piston, it will be seen referring to Fig. 1, that the charging piston is firmly seated against the head of the cylinder by the pressure of the compressed charge below it and the ignition circuit closed thereby. Fig. 1 shows the parts in the positions which they occupy relatively to each other when this condition prevails. Ignition now takes place and the liquid working piston is urged downward by the expansive force of the burning charge until the exhaust valve opens. After the opening of the exhaust valve there may or may not be a small quantity of air drawn in through the exhaust valve, depending upon whether the expansion has been carried below atmospheric pressure or not. In any case, the burnt gases begin to escape through the exhaust valve very soon after the latter is opened. The charging piston meanwhile has remained seated against the head so long as the pressure in the cylinder remains above a certain value, but so soon as the pressure in the cyl inder falls below this value, which may be before or after the opening of the exhaust valve, the charging piston leaves the cylinder head and begins to move downward. The force urging the charging piston downward may be of'its weight alone or its weight assisted by the inequality of pressure above .and below the charging piston, caused by the expansion of the charge, or a spring such as spring 26 on sliding rod 15, or other external agency may be used to cause or assist the downward movement of the charging piston. When the charging piston moves downward there is a relative reduction of pressure behind it and this causes a charge to enter through the inlet valve 9. As the movement of the charging piston is definitely limited the amount of charge is always accurately measured. The fresh charge is separated from the burnt gases by the charging piston, which pushes the latter ahead of it. Returning now to a consideration of the liquid working piston, this, after completing its downward stroke, returns, due to its pendulum action, driving out ahead of it the burnt gases. The exhaust valve closes at or about the time that the liquid piston covers it. In its preferred construction, the valve is designed s0 as to be closed by the liquid of the piston when it attempts to follow the gases out through thevalve. I preferably provide for entrapping a small quantity of burnt gas or air between the liquid piston or thetop of the float, where one is used, and the charging piston to act as a cushion. As soon as the exhaust valve closes, the pressure in the cylinder rises rapidly and the charging piston thereupon begins to move upward. It is impracticable, for obvious reasons, to establish a direct mechanical connection between the liquid working piston and the charging piston for the operation of the latter, and it is impracticable or at least very objectionable, to attempt to connect the charging piston directly even to a float. For this reason in the present invention the variations of pressure within the working cha1n ber are taken advantage of as a means for operating the charging piston. In order to accomplish this result different constructions may be employed. In Fig. '1 the upward movement of the charging piston is due to the difference of the effective area of its two sides. Thus the effective area of the upper side of the piston is less than the effective areav of the lower side by an amount equal to the area of the plunger 7 which extends from the upper side of the piston out through the head of the working cylinder. 7

When the charging piston is downand the new charge has been drawn in back of it,&

the upward stroke of the fluid piston compresses the contents of the working chamber, compressing first the. cushion of gas beneath the charging piston and thus directly lifting the latter until the unit pressure within the chamber on both sides of the charging piston is equalized. As the effective area of the upper surface of the charging piston is less than the eflectivearea of the lower surface, however, it will be seen that the total pressure upon the lower sur-J face of the piston is greater than the total pressure upon the upper surface thereof and the charging piston therefore continues its upward movement. If no means for per mitting the passage of the charge around the charging piston were permitted, obviously a condition of equilibrium wouldbe reached with the charge compressed above the charging piston, but this condition cannot occur because any rise in the unit pres sure of the charge above the piston causes the charge to pass downward around or through the charging piston and so permit the piston to continue its upward course.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1 there is no communication between the spaces above andbelow the piston during the first part of its upward movement, so that its movement during this part of its stroke is retarded by the rise of pressure above it and the piston tends to remain near the surface of the liquid piston. This positively prevents splashing of the liquid of the piston into the main body of the charge. This function of the piston in preventing or reducing splashing and in protecting the charge from the splashed liquid, is accomplished in some degree whenever the piston or movable partition is used in connection with the liquid piston and is an important and valuable feature. The charge being still above the pieton at the time that splashing is most likely to occur cannot be reached by the water and is so kept dry and in condition to act with the maximum of efiect. When the charging piston has moved upward far enough to uncov the bottom of the slot 11 a passageway is afforded for the charge to pass around th charging piston andthe latter executes the remainder of its stroke more rapidly and seats against the cylinder head when the charge has all passed to its lower side. Just about the time of, or slightly before reaching the top of its stroke the charging piston closes the ignition circuit, the charge is exploded, and the cycle described is repeated. A low pressure will su'tfice to cause the charging piston to begin its upward movement but some time is required to complete the upward stroke and 1 preferably design the slot or by-pass so that the retarding or dash pot action of the charge shall delay the charging piston to such an extent that it will close the ignition circuitat or about the time of maximum compression. The charging piston once having been raised will remain in its highest position so long as the pressure in the expansion chamber remains above the low value which was required to put it in motion. This keeps the ignition circuit closed for a considerable period, and in case ignition fails to take place at the time of making contact, opportunity is afforded for a delayed ignition of the charge.

In the main the operation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 is similar to the operation of the form shown in Fig. 1. Starting with the parts in the position in which they are shown in Fig. 2, the exhaust valve is open ant. the liquid piston is about to begin its up stroke. So soon as the liquid of the piston reaches the exhaust valve 3% the latter will close and the pressure in the small space between the float 36 and the charging piston a1 will rise ra idly and start the charging piston upward. As the charging piston rises the charge above it is compressed and the pressure rises throughout the whole of the working cylinder. This rise of pressure continues until the liquid pressure on the piston 44 becomes sutiicient to force it downward and draw the charging piston 41 up against the head 31, the charge meanwhile passing down through the ports 58. The charge is then ignited by any suitable agency and the float and liquid piston are forced downward by the expansion of the burning charge. When the pressure has fallen sufliciently the exhaust valve 34 opens,

relieving the pressure in the cylinder and thereupon the pressure of the liquid against the piston a4 falls and the charging piston etl is permitted to move downward under the influence of gravity and of the spring 53, thus drawing in a fresh charge through the valve The cycle is then repeated. The pistons 41 and 4A- are preferably connected by flexible connectors, or some other lost motion device, which permits the piston 41 to be accelerated in its upward movement without overcoming the inertia of the pisston ate. No specific means for igniting the charge are shown in Fig. 2 but the charge may be ignited by the heat of compression or by means similar to those shown in Fig. l or by any other suitable agency.

The drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments of my invention but I do not wish to limit myself thereto as it will be understood that various physical structures may be employed in the carrying out of my chamber connected with the play pipe hav- 7 ing inlet and outlet ports and a movable partition adapted to separate the exhaust gases from the fresh charge while it is being drawn into the expansion chamber and until the exhaust gases are driven from the expansion chamber.

3. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe having inlet and outlet ports and a movable partition adapted to separate theexhaust gases from the fresh incoming gases until the exhaust gases are driven from the expansion chamber, and means for then permitting the fresh gases to pass from one side of the partition to the other and to assume a position between the liquid and the partition.

4. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe having inlet and outlet ports and a movable partition adapted to separate the exhaust gases from the fresh incoming gases until the exhaust gases are driven from the expansion chamber, and means for then permitting the fresh gases to pass from one side of the partition to the other and to assume a position between the liquid and the partition before the expansion takes place.

5. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe having inlet and outlet ports and a pressure controlled movable diaphragm for drawing the fresh charge into the expansion chamber and adapted to act as a partition for separating the fresh charge from the exhaust gases while the latter are being driven from the expansion chamber;

6. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe having inlet and outlet ports and a vertically movable diaphragm adapted to be lifted by the pressure of the compression stroke and to drop upon the reduction of pressure during the exhaust stroke and in dropping, to draw in a fresh charge.

7 The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe having inlet and outlet ports and a vertically movable diaphragm adapted to be lifted by the pressure of the compression stroke and to drop upon the reduction of pressure during the exhaust stroke and in dropping, to draw in a fresh charge, and means for permitting the fresh, gases to pass from the upper side to the lower side of the said partition while it is being lifted.

8. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe having inlet and outlet ports a movable diaphragm adapted to draw in the fresh charge and to separate it from the exhaust gases while it is being driven in and while the exhaust gases are being expelled, and a plunger also operating in the expansion chamber and an operative connection between the said plunger and the said diaphragm.

9. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe hav ing inlet and outlet ports and a movable partition adapted to separate the exhaust Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by

said expansion chamber,

the exhaust gases are driven from the expansion chamber, the said outlet ports being so located that they will be below the said partition in every position which it is free to assume.

11. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe, and a vertically movable diaphragm within the said expansion chamber, the said expansion chamber having inlet ports so located that the said diaphragm shall always be between the said inlet ports and the said liquid column, and the said expansion chamber having outlet ports so located that the said diaphragm shall never be between the said outlet ports and the said liquid column.

12. The combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a liquid column adapted to acquire useful momentum, an expansion chamber connected with the play pipe, and a vertically movable diaphragm within the the said expansion chamber having inlet ports so located that the said diaphragm shall always be between the said inlet ports and the said liquid column, and the said expansion chamber having outlet ports so located that the said diaphragm shall never be between the said outlet ports and the said liquid column, and means for igniting the charge, such igniting means being so located and so controlled by the movement of the said diaphragm that ignition can occur only when the said diaphragm is between the inlet valves and the ignition means.

Witness my hand, this 10th day of June, 1913.

ABRAM P. STECKEL.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

